Jessica Day George – LDS Women's Book Review

Wednesdays in the Tower by Jessica Day George – Countdown to Summer 2013

Jun 272013

Jessica Day George likes books, chocolate, movies, knitting, Disneyland, very small dogs, and traveling. She has a husband and three small children, who live with her in an only slightly dusty house in the Salt Lake valley. She is the author of nine books to date, and the most recent (WEDNESDAYS IN THE TOWER) was on the New York Times Bestseller List.

Visit Jessica: WEBSITE | BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

* * *

LDSWBR: What books do you plan/hope to read this summer?

JESSICA: Let’s see . . . Currently reading THE FIFTH WAVE by Rick Yancey. Next up: WARM BODIES by Isaac Marion (loved the movie!), ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins, BLOOD MOON and BLOOD PROPHECY by Alyxandra Harvey, IN DARKNESS by Nick Lake, DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT by Laini Taylor, THE SPARROW by Mary Doria Russell, ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL by James Herriot, and ANATHEM by Neal Stephenson, A WALK IN THE WOODS by Bill Bryson, SUPERNATURALLY by Kiersten White . . . And that’s just for starters!

LDSWBR: Did you ever go to summer camp, and/or what is your most memorable camping experience?

JESSICA: I went to LDS girl’s camp for three years as a teen. I declined the fourth year, because you even had to pack your own toilet paper and carry everything with you. (And, according to rumor, carry it all back out, too. Yes. The toilet paper, too.) Yeah, not something that sounded fun. One year my friend Rebecca and I went to 4-H camp, which was held in nice cabins at this cool camp and sounded amazing. I’m sure it was fine, but all I remember, though, is that for inspections we tried to mop our cabin floor by squirting it with water from someone’s contraband Super Soaker, and it just made mud. Our counselor started crying. We did not win the cleanest cabin award.

LDSWBR: If you could have a summer home anywhere in the world, where would it be?

JESSICA: Somewhere on a fjord in Norway. (Of course!)

LDSWBR: Thank you so much, Jessica! I just gave my niece WEDNESDAYS for her birthday since I gave her TUESDAYS last year. She was very excited, and I found out she’s read TUESDAYS four times. I need to bring her to your next signing so you can autograph her books. :)

* * *

Find Wednesdays in the Tower

AMAZON (Hardcover & Kindle) | BARNES & NOBLE (Hardcover & Nook) | DESERET BOOK | GOODREADS

A castle that is constantly rearranging itself, and a young royal family sworn to protect it… Celie, Rolf, and their beloved Castle Glower are back in this exciting sequel.

Strange things are afoot in Castle Glower: new rooms, corridors, and even stables keep arriving, even when they aren’t needed. Celie’s brother Bran, the new Royal Wizard, has his hands full cataloguing an entire storeroom full of exotic and highly dangerous weapons, while Celie has her hands full . . . raising the creature that hatches from a giant egg she finds! Will they be able to find out what’s making the Castle behave this way in time?

Have you read any of the books on Jessica’s summer reading list? OR, have you ever been to Norway?

* * *

To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2013, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Comment on each Countdown to Summer 2013 post for more chances to win. Please click through to the website as only comments submitted directly on this post will be accepted.

Prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and the author-donated books listed below. This is raffle-style drawing where all entries throughout the contest period are entered into the same “hat” for all prizes. US only. 18 years and older please. See all contest rules and restrictions HERE.

If you don’t already follow LDSWBR through email, Facebook or Twitter (those cute little book buttons on the sidebar) you may want to consider doing so during the contest so you don’t miss any posts or chances to enter the drawing. Following LDSWBR is not required but it is nice to know that our book reviews are useful to other readers.

If one of our LDSWBR reviews has ever helped you find a book you enjoyed, perhaps you would consider helping us spread the word about the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2013. A link posted to your friends and family either in email or on your favorite social network would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Book prizes generously donated by the authors as of 6/27/2013 (more added throughout the countdown!):

A Blind Eye by Julie Daines (signed), a bookmark AND a Mind the Gap temporary tattoo
I, Spy by Jordan McCollum (choice of paperback or ebook)
Sworn Enemy by A.L. Sowards (choice of paperback or ebook)
Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden
A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver
Fairy Godmothers, Inc. by Jenniffer Wardell (signed paperback)
Esther the Queen by H.B. Moore (Kindle or Nook)
Belonging to Heaven by Gale Sears (or winner’s choice of another book by Gale)
Farworld: Air Keep by J. Scott Savage (personalized copy)
A Way Back to You by Emily Gray Clawson (personalized paperback)
Deep Cover by Traci Hunter Abramson (personalized paperback)
Second Chances by Melanie Jacobson (signed copy)
Cragbridge Hall: The Inventor’s Secret by Chad Morris (winner’s choice of hardcover or audiobook)
When the Butterflies Came by Kimberley Griffiths Little (signed hardcover and bookmarks)
The Orchard by Krista Lynne Jensen
Wednesdays in the Tower by Jessica Day George (signed copy)

By commenting and participating in the Countdown to Summer 2013 you agree to the following:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY; entrants must be 18 years or older; open to residents of continental US only; giveaway begins June 10, 2013 and all entries must be received by 12:00 Midnight June 30, 2012 Mountain Time; to enter, complete the required entry on each post and any additional entries of your choice if listed; LDS Women’s Book Review reserves the right to determine what is considered a thoughtful comment as per each post’s required entry; giveaway prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and a variety of book prizes donated by featured authors; the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning; LDS Women’s Book Review is not liable for technical problems which may affect entry into the giveaway; winner identity will be verified by email address; winner will be selected July 2, 2013 by use of a sequence generator on random.org; winners will have until July 10, 2013 to claim their prize; if any prize winner forfeits or does not claim prize, prize will be re-awarded to next winner in sequence; all prizes will be awarded; limit of two prizes per entrant; this contest/giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other entity unless otherwise specified; by entering the giveaway you give LDS Women’s Book Review the right to publicize your name on the LDS Women’s Book Review blog; winner agrees to release LDS Women’s Book Review from any liability as a result of winning; email comments & questions to LDS Women’s Book Review – ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com; giveaway subject to Utah regulations; VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George – Combined Review

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Combined Reviews

Nov 222011

Tuesdays at the Castle

Author: Jessica Day George

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Published Date: October 2011

Hardcover; 228 pages

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy

Reviewed by: Shanda, Sheila & Mindy

FTC FYI: purchased own copy

Shanda’s Review

I have been anxiously awaiting Tuesdays at the Castle since Jessica first told us what she was working on back in March 2010. A magical castle that changes every Tuesday (or more often if it feels like it) and an 11-year-old princess that can communicate with it? What a fun idea.

I have yet to read another author with Jessica’s particular talent in fairytale storytelling. Tuesdays at the Castle will appeal to girls and boys- girls because the main character is the youngest princess in a royal family, and boys because Rolf, the second oldest son and the castle’s choice for heir to the throne, must take over and rule the kingdom in the absence of his father.

Prince Rolf, Princess Delilah, and Princess Cecilia fight to keep the castle in the family once their father, mother and oldest brother are attacked on the road and are presumed dead. With the help of the castle (and sometimes the maids) the royal children must fight the evil prince from a neighboring country and the Royal Council who are trying to force Rolf into relinquishing the right to rule.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Tuesdays at the Castle. Not only did it bring out the little girl in me, I also enjoyed it from an adult’s perspective. Jessica has taken the seemingly simple story of royal children in a magical castle and added layers of good vs. evil, integrity, hope, humor, obligation, faith, sorrow and loyalty.

Tuesdays at the Castle gets 5 stars out of 5 from me as a well-told story that made me smile and feel young again. I would happily recommend Tuesdays at the Castle to anyone ages eight and older.

Sheila’s Review

Tuesdays at the Castle is a great addition to the writing of Jessica Day George. This book was written for the Middle-Grade group, 8-12, but even I enjoyed it as an adult reader. As a teacher of the targeted age group, I know that they will love this book!

I have always loved castles, especially magical ones. This castle is like no other one, because it is alive. It will do things for the royal family, especially the young Princess Celie. When she wishes to go somewhere or have a door appear, the castle will honor her request.

With the King and Queen of Glower, and their oldest son, Bran, missing and presumed dead, enemies come calling and try to slowly take over the castle and the kingdom. The remaining siblings, Rolf, who will be the new King, and sister Lilah and Celie, will do what ever they can to keep their beloved Glower castle safe.

The things that happen next are exciting and also quite funny. I love the many humorous things that the castle does to protect itself and the royal siblings. It will change and add rooms, hallways and secret passageways. I especially liked when the castle was able to change where many of the rooms were located. The castle would also furnish the rooms, lavishly to almost bare, according to how well it liked the occupants.

I loved many of the characters in this novel, but especially main character, eleven-year-old Princess Celie. She is brave, spunky and downright likable. You bond with her right from the beginning. Celie is a force to reckon with and the bad guys can’t handle her.

All readers will love this new, fun-filled fantasy. It is a fast read that will leave you wanting to read more of Jessica’s work.

Mindy’s Review

Princess Celie is Castle Glower’s favorite. It does things for her that it won’t do for anyone else, opening rooms for her that even her siblings can’t find. All the rooms that open or close in the Castle are for a reason. Whether it is delighting in certain guests by putting them in the lap of luxury, or kicking out (literally) ones it does not like.

Celie takes it upon herself to get to know the in, outs, and arounds of Castle Glower by making an atlas. And after her parents and oldest brother are ambushed, there is never a greater need to know where to go. The Castle is alive, and helps Celie and her siblings escape many dangers and sneak around without being seen. The Castle and Kingdom is in danger of being overrun with the King and Queen presumed dead. In it’s own way, Castle shows Celie, her sister Lilah, and her heir to the throne brother, Rolf how to save themselves.

Jessica Day George is one of my favorite authors, and this book keeps her status very high in my eyes. TUESDAYS AT THE CASTLE is very cleverly written, full of fun, and lots of heart. Celie is of course my favorite character with the Castle a close second. Celie is a caring princess who is loved by all in the Castle. I loved reading what clever things Castle would do next. What clever room was added, what book would appear for the siblings to read, or what cloak would appear that helped muffle sound.

5 out of 5 stars. I loved every page. I love that when I finished, I had a huge smile on my face. Jessica, you can write no wrong!

To-Read Tuesday 10.18.2011

Posted by Shanda Special Features, To-Read Tuesday

Oct 182011

If you could read only ONE book from your to-read list, what would it be and why?
What are you looking forward to? Is it a sequel? Have all of your friends read it and you’re tired of being the odd one out? Is there a movie being released that is based on the book? Are you in love with the cover? Leave the link to your To-Read Tuesday blog post or just tell us which book you would read and why in the comments below.

Shanda

Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

I feel like I have been waiting forever for this book to come out. Now that I finally have it in my hot little hands (and signed, too!) I can’t wait to read it.

Sheila

Variant by Robison Wells

I can’t wait to read Rob Well’s new book. I am in the mood to read a super YA full of suspense and action.

Mindy

Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Simply because I loved the first one and I can’t wait to see how Evie is doing.

What are you excited to read this week?

Episode 42 Part 3 with authors Aubrey Mace and Jessica Day George

Posted by Shanda Book Releases & Signings, News

Apr 142010

While at the Valor Publishing Book Launch in March, we ran into authors Aubrey Mace and Jessica Day George, who had come to show their support. We took the opportunity in Episode 42 Part 3 to talk to them about what they’ve been working on and they were more than willing accommodate us. Aubrey and Jessica are sweet and funny ladies. You won’t want to miss this one!

Listen to Episode 42 Part 3 here, or find us in iTunes and subscribe to the podcast.

We have pictures, of course, including one with author Dan Willis :). Thanks Aubrey and Jessica!

Episode 42 Part 3 – Authors Aubrey Mace & Jessica Day George

Posted by Shanda 2010 Podcasts, Podcasts

Mar 162010

Podcast for March 16, 2010

Episode 42 Part 3

[podcast]http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/shows/2010-03-16/ldswbr_episode42_part3_03-16-10.mp3[/podcast]

aubreymace3_16_2010_wm

jessicaandus3_16_2010_wm

Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George

Posted by Sheila Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews

May 252009

The wait is over and now we can all read Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George. The book was released this month and is the final book in the Dragon Slippers trilogy.

Here is a teaser about Dragon Spear I found on Jessica Day George’s website, http://www.jessicadaygeorge.com/

The exciting conclusion to the Dragon Slippers trilogy

As far as Creel is concerned, all is finally right with the world. The dragon king, Shardas, and his queen, Velika, have made a comfortable home on the Far Islands. And with a tentative peace declared between dragons and humans, it seems the perfect time for Creel and Prince Luka to plan their wedding…or maybe not. Because when Velika gets kidnapped, Creel and Luka will join their dragon friends on their most dangerous adventure yet–only to discover that the real enemy may be one of their own. And if dangerous new foes and volcanic eruptions weren’t enough to throw off the wedding, add in a bushel of unwanted relations and a little accident involving not one but two wedding gowns, and Creel’s dream wedding might be turning into a nightmare. Filled with humor, heart, and feats of derring-do, this newest novel from Jessica Day George will delight both returning fans and new readers alike.

BUY THE BOOK:
local independent bookstores
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble

There will be a Dragon Spear launch party on Saturday, May 30th, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in West Jordan, UT at Jordan Landing. Jessica’s launch parties are a lot of fun. I took my kids to the Princess of the Midnight Ball launch party and we had a great time. My daughter even won a copy of the book that night. Plan on going that day, purchase the book and get it signed by Jessica. If you have never met Jessica she is a very funny and a very nice lady. I plan on going. See you there!!

Older Entries